As I sit in the airplane on my way to London to give my first International lecture, I can’t help but ponder over the past year, and all the joy and happiness it has brought me.  I don’t think I ever expected to be traveling, giving motivational talks about raw food, but then again the universe has a funny way of mixing things up a bit.  So here I am reviewing the years past experiences in my head, and I found myself thinking about how much of it was really my doing, and how much was just given to me, as a gift from the universe.

2007
One year ago I was sitting in my bed at The Creative Health Institute in Michigan, a raw food retreat center that I attended for two weeks, wondering what life had in store for me.  I already knew how to make all the recipes, and knew how to eat, but more than anything I went there to take a break, relax, and breathe.  I really hadn’t any raw food support to speak of up to this point, I didn’t even know one person that was a vegetarian.  So, I would huddle around my books and contemplate the future.  I felt sort of lost and out of place in the world, and knew I just needed to feel safe, even if it was just for a moment. 

My visit there was just what I needed because I met beautiful friends, and really felt recharged for what was to come.  I knew I needed to be there for a reason, and I knew I needed to take something important home with me, a tool, a skill, something.  Little did I know that “something” was faith?  I had been a spiritually minded person my entire life but somehow allowed nervousness, control, and fear into my life as well.  How did they get in?  I must have left a back door open somewhere. 

What I ended up taking away was invaluable, and I am eternally grateful for it.

Faith
Trusting in the Universe has been a wonderful learning process for me.  Leaning that I manifest the world around me.  Learning there is no such thing as coincidence.  Learning that I am a co-creator, not a victim.  Learning that the responsibility is all mine.  Learning that the universe only has good things for me.  Learning to be still, and know that everything is perfect.

From the moment I began to release the reigns a bit I found that I was actually able to truly enjoy life for the first time.  I began attracting new friends, from all over the world.  Raw food communities were popping up and it seemed like support was everywhere.  I met Dhrumil and found a new business partner.  Companies began to contact me, opportunities for adventure began to present themselves, and people began to ask me to speak in their area enabling me to travel all over the world. 

The Best
I came to find that living a life with the attitude of having the “The Best Day Ever,” everyday, presented more than I could ever hope or dream for.  I decided not to put my future in a box, but rather be completely open to whatever was to come.  Expecting the best in every situation and being in a space of gratitude no matter what was gifted to me.  This new way of thinking turned into a new way of manifesting.  If I create the world around me, why not create it the very best way possible.

Tools
Here are a couple tools I found that helped me along the way:

1.    Affirmations.  Most people have a terrible day because subconsciously they don’t feel that they deserve anything good in life, usually do to a lack of self-love.  You can reverse that by affirming it to yourself in the mirror daily.  I dare you.  Do it until you actually believe yourself, or until you crack up laughing.

2.    Creating Your Day.  Create your day by writing down exactly how you want your day to go.  It is quite simple, and should take less than 5 or 10 minutes.  Don’t be skimpy on the details either.  If you are having a problem with a co-worker, write down how you would like them to act towards you, seeing that person as cordial and pleasant.  Whatever the situation, see it in your mind and write it down.

3.    Visualization.  Take 30 minutes once or more a week and picture your future, the way you want it to be.  Write your own movie where you get to be the star.  Your goal may be to lose 40 pounds, and go to work in a new tailored pinstripe suit.  If that is the case, picture yourself as that person in your minds eye, trim, strong, muscular, confidant, and looking amazing in your new suit.  Picture what it feels like when you walk around and interact with people.  Feel the emotion of the moment.  The emotion is what sets it into action. 

I have pictured myself as a trim muscular guy for pretty much my entire life.  After losing nearly 200 lbs, I am surely on my way.  It might have taken a little longer than expected, but like I said, I am learning.  What if I took this approach years ago, maybe it would have happened a lot sooner, but then again, there were lessons that I needed to learn to get to this point.  Why else would I have manifested it this way?

So whether you struggle with viewing yourself from the perspective of the past…
Or find yourself worrying about your purpose, or who you will be in the future…
Or just plain tired of having days that are “less than the best ever…”

Trust in the Universe.
Take steps to create change.
And smile, because you are loved.

Blissfully Yours,

Philip @ Lovingraw